Dillon Serna of the Colorado Rapids and Sporting Kansas City’s Soony Saad each tallied exceptional goals to highlight a big weekend for Development Academy alumni in Major League Soccer play and abroad.

Serna, formerly of the Rapids Academy system, scored on a running, left-footed strike from distance during the Rapids’ 4-2 loss to D.C. United on Sunday, Aug. 17. His celebratory back flip also was equally impressive. Jared Watts, an alum of the Carolina Rapids, recorded the assist.

Saad, formerly of Vardar SC, corralled a corner kick and fired a right-footed shot through a crowded box and into the left corner of the net in Sporting Kansas City’s 3-1 win against Toronto FC on Saturday, Aug. 16. Saad also recorded an assist in the match. Jon Kempin, a homegrown Sporting Kansas City player, made his first MLS start in goal and came up with a fantastic save.

Zardes Continues Hot Streak: LA Galaxy Academy productGyasi Zardes scored his ninth goal in his past 10 matches during the Galaxy’s 4-1 loss to the Columbus Crew. His 49th-minute tally was a one-timer from the middle of the box off of a Dan Gargan cross. Zardes’ shot into the right corner of the goal now gives him 10 tallies on the season.

Bruin Scores in Dynamo Victory: Will Bruin scored his ninth goal of the season to give the Houston Dynamo a 1-0 lead against the Philadelphia Union in the 51st minute, a match the Dynamo would go on to win 2-0. Bruin, a St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri alum, ran down the middle of the field as teammate Giles Barnes dribbled down the left side and got behind the defense. Barnes cross found Bruin in front of the goal at point-blank range, and Bruin one-touched the cross home.

Hamid, Kemp Shine in D.C. United Win: D.C. United homegrown product Bill Hamid made a diving save from a close-range shot to help D.C. United preserve a 4-2 victory against the Colorado Rapids. Real Colorado alum Taylor Kemp contributed to D.C. United’s offensive outburst with two assists.

Speas Helps Crew to Four-Goal Performance: Crew Soccer Academy alumBen Speas scored the third of four Columbus goals against the LA Galaxy to help hand the Galaxy its worst loss of the season. Speas’ left-footed shot from the left side of the box netted him his first goal of the 2014 season and second of his career.